Next weekend marks a year since my first ever 10k race.

I can’t believe it.

It was Lorton 10k and I was so nervous. I was only doing it because Julie had signed up and the organisers asked me to have a go.

We were last. It wasn’t so bad as we got a prize.

I thought I was on to freebies for life if I came last in every 10k in Cumbria, but as it turns out, it’s only the odd race which offers them, which is a bit unsporting.

And now? I’m sitting here, wondering if I can do it again.

Julie’s booked herself a weekend away. Coincidence? I think not.

Despite probably being the fittest I have ever been – and I mean ever – my confidence is at an all-time low.

It’s not been helped by the Copeland by-election.

I realise we blame politicians for everything, but in this case, it’s true.

I’ve been to four hustings up and down the constituency.

Each was held on the same night as my running class with BodyFit, plus the by-election itself, which was held last Thursday (also a running night), which saw me working until 5.30am last Friday.

When I’ve not been working, I’ve been sprawled out on the sofa, sleeping.

The husband, while supportive of my running, isn’t the greatest motivator to get me out.

His idea of exercise is going to the front door to collect the pizza from Sadie’s.

In fairness to him, I won’t let him run in case he turns out to be better than me.

So, in total, over the last fornight, I’ve been running, er, not at all.

I think the girls think I’ve emigrated to Australia as I’ve not seen them for weeks or replied to What’s App messages.

Really, I had 56 messages the other day to read through. One of which said ‘Nicole, you’re quiet’. I couldn’t get a word in!

I was supposed to do the 5k at Watchtree Nature Reserve on Sunday but slept in.

So I’ve got my first BodyFit class tonight and I’m as nervous as I was the first time I dared to join the class.

What if my legs forget what they’re supposed to do?

You’re supposed to build up muscle memory, but if it’s as good as my proper memory, I’ll probably fall over as I try to take my first step.

Still, I’ll give it a go. I’m nothing if not a trier. That’s what someone put on my Facebook page the other day anyway. Apparently, I’m ‘determined’.

It was in relation to a video Sam had created with one of the runners, Andy, to tell people why we run.

It is a question that gets asked all the time.

We were asked to contribute and me, being me, said: “Losing five stones and keeping it off – check, great people – check, keeping me sane – check, loving cream cakes – check.”

I was only slightly embarrassed at my flippancy when I played the video and all these proper (read: skinny) runners had come up with inspirational and moving reasons.

Sam, quite rightly, put me at the end of the video.

Ah well, at least my mouth is running at sprint pace, even if the rest of me isn’t.